Click on each photo below to view photos for each car.

Shown below are photos of two important mechanical refrigerator cars for HO modelers of the mid-1960s and later. Both of these models are essential for a balanced depiction of strings of Pacific Fruit Express and other owners cars for this period.

1) Red Caboose' model (now available) of a PFE R-70-15 mechanical refrigerator car. The prototypes for these cars were built starting in 1965.

The current release of the R-70-15 depicts a car in "as-delivered" configuration from Pacific Car & Foundry. Along with lettering appropriate for the period, the car features running boards on the roof, and a choice of two different underframes - Keystone or Hydra-Cushion.

As with the prototype R-70-15, the roof on the Red Caboose car is a peaked roof, and the body is equipped with nine foot wide plug doors.

2) Below also is a preproduction undecorated test shot of Intermountain Railway Co's 57' PFE Refrigerator Car.

Details are subject to change prior to actual production of models.

The Intermountain model is outwardly different from the Red Caboose reefer. Why? The IMRC car depicts later classes R-70-20 through R-70-24 for Pacific Fruit Express. The prototypes were constructed during 1969 to 1971 for PFE and other roads.

These cars were also manufactured by PC&F, and exhibit a further evolution of mechanical reefer design. Unlike the R-70-15s, the R-70-20s feature 10'6"-wide plug doors, and a "flatter" beveled roof profile in two variations.

As with the prototype, the IMRC model will feature two different roofs, an "early roof" suitable for the first group of cars, and the "later" production roof suitable for the rest of the cars in these classes. Also reproduced faithfully on both the IMRC and Red Caboose models are the two different load cushioning systems - Keystone and Hydra-Cushion.

I surmise that we can expect additional paint schemes for each of these cars from both manufacturers in future runs. I look forward to adding plenty of BOTH to my roster.

Best Regards,
Harry Wong

All Photos Copyright © 2008 Harry K. Wong. While linking to this album is encouraged, these photos must not be used in any form elsewhere without prior permission of the photographer. Thank you for your cooperation.